Chapter 4 - LOCKDOWN

Isabella sat in a private consultation room two floors below.

A security officer stood outside each door.

Her red gown had been covered with a hospital blanket.

The transformation was deliberate.

She no longer looked like the woman who had attacked a pregnant woman.

She looked fragile.

Victimized.

Her attorney, Charles Wynn, had arrived within twenty minutes.

He was one of Manhattan’s most expensive criminal defense lawyers.

People did not call Charles Wynn for misunderstandings.

They called him when they knew trouble was coming.

Julian watched Isabella through the glass panel outside the room.

“She called him before the police got here.”

The security director nodded.

“From the bathroom.”

“I told you to secure the floor.”

“She surrendered her phone.”

“Apparently not all of them.”

Julian’s jaw tightened.

Marcus stood several feet away.

He had refused to leave the hospital.

Khloe had refused to see him.

That arrangement suited Julian perfectly.

“What does she have?”

Julian asked.

Marcus did not answer.

Julian turned.

“I’m not Khloe.”

“You don’t get to stand there silently until I become tired enough to forgive you.”

Marcus stared toward Isabella’s room.

“Eighteen months ago, Thorne Global had a liquidity problem.”

“How big?”

“Big enough.”

“That’s billionaire language for catastrophic.”

Marcus ignored the remark.

“One of our overseas acquisitions collapsed.”

“We needed financing fast.”

“Isabella’s family controls Rossi Meridian Bank.”

Julian understood.

“You went to her.”

“My father did.”

“But she handled it.”

“Yes.”

“And somewhere between saving your company and sleeping with you, she forged my niece’s signature?”

Marcus’s face tightened.

“I didn’t know it was forged.”

“That sentence is going to sound excellent in court.”

“I believed Khloe had signed.”

“Why?”

“Because Isabella gave me the authorization package.”

Julian stared at him.

“You’re supposedly one of the most sophisticated businessmen in New York.”

“You transferred control of billions of dollars based on paperwork your mistress handed you?”

Marcus flinched.

“Don’t call her that.”

Julian moved so quickly that Marcus took a step backward.

“What would you prefer?”

“A consultant?”

“A strategic partner?”

“The woman who kicked your pregnant wife to the floor?”

Marcus said nothing.

Julian lowered his voice.

“You are lucky Khloe is still pregnant.”

Marcus looked toward the maternity wing.

“I know.”

“No.”

“You don’t.”

Before Marcus could respond, two NYPD detectives arrived.

Detective Lena Brooks took the lead.

She had already viewed the footage.

Her expression when she saw Marcus suggested his name impressed her very little.

“We have probable cause for assault.”

Marcus nodded.

“Then arrest Isabella.”

Wynn stepped into the hallway.

“My client will cooperate voluntarily.”

Brooks gave him a dry look.

“How generous.”

Wynn ignored her.

“But before anyone decides this is a simple assault case, I suggest Mr. Thorne consider what happens when the financial documents in my possession become public.”

Marcus’s face hardened.

“Blackmail?”

“Legal notice.”

“Call it whatever makes you sleep at night.”

Wynn smiled faintly.

“My client was manipulated by Mr. Thorne.”

Julian laughed once.

“She kicked a pregnant woman on camera.”

“And we will address that.”

“But the complete relationship between my client and Mr. Thorne will also be addressed.”

Marcus stepped closer.

“What does she want?”

Wynn looked at him.

“Now?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Perhaps.”

Then Wynn’s expression changed.

“She does want you to know one thing.”

Marcus waited.

Wynn leaned closer.

“The forged authorization was not Isabella’s idea.”

Marcus frowned.

“Whose was it?”

Wynn smiled.

“She says you should ask your father.”

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And for the second time that night, Marcus Thorne looked genuinely blindsided.

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